Strong quake shakes northern Japan

Tokyo  A strong earthquake rattled northern Japan today, and authorities said no tsunami was expected in the area. There were no immediate reports of serious damage or injuries.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said the afternoon quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.2.

The earthquake occurred off the coast of the eastern Hama-dori region of Fukushima prefecture, which is located about 150 miles north of Tokyo. Tremors were felt in Tokyo and in neighboring prefectures, including Miyagi, Yamagata, Tochigi and Ibaraki.